Swine transboundary diseases pose significant challenges in East and Southeast Asia, affecting Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines. This review delves into strategies employed by these islands over the past two decades to prevent or manage foot and mouth disease (FMD), classical swine fever (CSF), and African swine fever (ASF) in domestic pigs and wild boars. Despite socio-economic differences, these islands share geographical and climatic commonalities, influencing their thriving swine industries. Focusing on FMD eradication, this study unveils Taiwan’s success through mass vaccination, Japan’s post-eradication surveillance, and the Philippines’ zoning strategy. Insights into CSF in Japan emphasize the importance of wild boar control, whereas the ASF section highlights the multifaceted approach implemented through the Philippine National ASF Prevention and Control Program. This review underscores lessons learned from gained experiences, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of swine disease management in the region.

Animal health and veterinary medicine are integral to One Health, contributing important perspectives on complex challenges arising at the human-animal-environment interface. The published Competency-Based Veterinary Education (CBVE) framework dedicates a domain of competence and three associated sub-competencies to public health (Domain 4). However, a panel of One Health scientists sought to establish additional outcomes believed necessary to support core veterinary curricula related to veterinary public health (VPH)/One Health. We hypothesized that early career veterinarians use knowledge, skills, and abilities consistent with VPH/One Health and that the existing CBVE could incorporate these concepts. We conducted key informant and exploratory interviews with veterinarians across 12 sectors of veterinary medicine and used inductive coding to identify VPH/One Health codes. We then cross-analyzed these codes with the existing CBVE framework to incorporate field-validated VPH/One Health codes into the published framework. Thirty codes emerged which were designated as either adequately represented (5), not represented (6), or represented with sub-competency creation or augmentation recommended (19) in the existing framework. This information was used to cross-map, validate, and update the CBVE sub-competencies so that they accurately reflect the breadth and depth of One Health engagement required for competent veterinarians. This iterative, evidence-based revision process is a model for integrating One Health into medical professional curricula.

Understanding the immune responses against Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is important to prevent infection and to design control strategies. We evaluated both systemic and mucosal immune responses to PEDV in pigs and assessed if prior exposure to virus protects against re-infection. Three-week-old pigs were infected with PEDV and immune response in blood, intestine, and mesenteric lymph node (MLN) was evaluated. At 30 dpi, virus exposed pigs were challenged with a field isolate of PEDV and immune response at 5 d post challenge was evaluated. We found that PEDV RNA persists in the intestine even after fecal shedding of the virus was stopped at 28 dpi and pigs previously exposed to PEDV are protected from virus shedding after re-infection. PEDV infection induced both humoral and cell mediated immune response with an increase in PEDV specific IgA and IgG antibodies in intestine and serum. Flow cytometry analysis showed a significantly higher frequency of B cells and lower frequency of T cells at 4 dpi. The frequency of CD4/CD8 double positive (DP) memory T cells was significantly increased in the MLN of challenged animals. These studies may provide further insights into understanding the mucosal immune response to PEDV and its role in protection against disease.

Background: Veterinary education (VE) is increasingly transitioning toward a competency-based model with a focus on educational outcomes. The American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges published a framework of competencybased veterinary education (CBVE) to provide guidance to veterinary educators in creating a curriculum that would graduate proficient veterinarians, capable of carrying out activities central to the profession, without supervision. Aims and Objectives: Swine Faculty at a Midwest Institution aimed to create a subset of competencies anchored in the CBVE framework for graduates aspiring to practice swine medicine. Methods: Using the Delphi process and the collaboration of swine practitioners and educators around the country, the team developed a list of 109 competencies divided into nine domains and three levels of expertise. Results: The list was designed as an online, interactive, savable tool, available at http://z.umn.edu/SwineCompetencies. Conclusion: Following this work, the swine faculty plans to evaluate the swine curriculum at the college level with the intent to incorporate additional opportunities for the students to practice and be assessed on the activities listed.

Predicting long-term outcomes in renal transplant recipients is essential to optimize medical therapy and determine the frequency of posttransplant histologic and serologic monitoring. Nonadherence and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatch are risk factors that have been associated with poor long-term outcomes and may help individualize care. In the present study, class II HLA mismatches were determined at the HLA epitope level in 195 renal transplant recipients in whom medication adherence was prospectively measured using electronic monitors in medication vial caps. Recipients were grouped by medication adherence and high (≥10 HLA-DR, ≥17 HLA-DQ) or low epitope-mismatch load. We found that the combination of higher epitope mismatch and poor adherence acted synergistically to determine the risk of rejection or graft loss. Nonadherent recipients with HLA-DR epitope mismatch ≥10 had increased graft loss (35% vs. 8%, p < 0.01) compared to adherent recipients with low epitope mismatch. At the HLA-DQ locus nonadherent recipients with HLA-DQ epitope mismatch ≥17 had increased graft loss (33% vs. 10%, p < 0.01) compared to adherent recipients with low epitope mismatch. Subclinical nonadherence early posttransplant combined with HLA class II epitope mismatch may help identify recipients that could benefit from increased clinical, histologic, and serologic monitoring.

BACKGROUND:Passively acquired maternal derived immunity (MDI) is a double-edged sword. Maternal derived antibody-mediated immunity (AMI) and cell-mediated immunity (CMI) are critical immediate defenses for the neonate; however, MDI may interfere with the induction of active immunity in the neonate, i.e. passive interference. The effect of antigen-specific MDI on vaccine-induced AMI and CMI responses to Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyopneumoniae) was assessed in neonatal piglets. To determine whether CMI and AMI responses could be induced in piglets with MDI, piglets with high and low levels of maternal M. hyopneumoniae-specific immunity were vaccinated against M. hyopneumoniae at 7 d of age. Piglet M. hyopneumoniae-specific antibody, lymphoproliferation, and delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses were measured 7 d and 14 d post vaccination.RESULTS:Piglets with M. hyopneumoniae-specific MDI failed to show vaccine-induced AMI responses; there was no rise in M. hyopneumoniae antibody levels following vaccination of piglets in the presence of M. hyopneumoniae-specific MDI. However, piglets with M. hyopneumoniae-specific MDI had primary (antigen-specific lymphoproliferation) and secondary (DTH) M. hyopneumoniae-specific CMI responses following vaccination.CONCLUSIONS:In this study neonatal M. hyopneumoniae-specific CMI was not subject to passive interference by MDI. Further, it appears that both maternal derived and endogenous CMI contribute to M. hyopneumoniae-specific CMI responses in piglets vaccinated in the face of MDI.

Immunoglobulins and immune cells are critical components of colostral immunity; however, their transfer to and function in the neonate, especially maternal lymphocytes, is unclear. Cell-mediated and antibody-mediated immunity in sow blood and colostrum and piglet blood before (PS) and after (AS) suckling were assessed to investigate transfer and function of maternal immunity in the piglet. CD4, CD8, and γδ lymphocytes were found in sow blood and colostrum and piglet blood PS and AS; each had a unique T lymphocyte profile. Immunoglobulins were detected in sow blood, colostrum, and in piglet blood AS; the immunoglobulin profile of piglet serum AS mimicked that of sow serum. These results suggest selectivity in lymphocyte concentration into colostrum and subsequent lymphocyte transfer into the neonate, but that immunoglobulin transfer is unimpeded. Assessment of colostral natural killer activity and antigen-specific proliferation revealed that colostral cells are capable of influencing the innate and specific immune response of neonatal pigs.

RATIONALE:Recent literature suggests vitamin D has an effect on lung function and on the lung's ability to fight infection, both important in the cystic fibrosis (CF) population as predictors of morbidity and mortality.OBJECTIVES:Our study assessed associations between vitamin D and % predicted lung function, pulmonary exacerbations, and first Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in children with CF. We hypothesized that children with CF who have 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD) levels less than 30 μg/L would have lower % predicted lung function and more pulmonary exacerbations than those with 25-OHD greater than or equal to 30 μg/L.METHODS:This retrospective longitudinal study of 130 children aged 6 to 18 years between 2000 and 2012 examined 25-OHD levels classed in three vitamin D groups: sufficient (≥30 μg/L), insufficient (20-29 μg/L), and deficient (<20 μg/L). Longitudinal models followed individuals' changing vitamin D groups over time to compare numbers of pulmonary exacerbations (defined by hospitalization), incidence of first P. aeruginosa infection, and % predicted lung function. Cross-sectional comparisons between vitamin D groups were performed at ages 8, 12, and 16 years.MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency increased slowly through adolescence. The rate of exacerbations for the deficient vitamin D group, aged 15 to 18 years, was 13.1 per 10 patient-years, significantly higher than 4.3 per 10 patient-years for the insufficient and sufficient vitamin D groups (P < 0.05), which were not significantly different There were no differences between vitamin D groups in pulmonary function or incidence of first P. aeruginosa infection, which was about 2 per 10 patient-years.CONCLUSIONS:Higher 25-OHD levels in children with CF were associated with lower rates of pulmonary exacerbations and, in adolescents, higher FEV1.

Establishing reference norms for semen parameters in fertile men is important for accurate assessment, counselling and treatment of men with male factor infertility. Identifying temporal or geographic variability in semen quality also requires accurate measurement of semen parameters in well‐characterized, defined populations of men. The Study for Future Families (SFF) recruited men who were partners of pregnant women attending prenatal clinics in Los Angeles CA, Minneapolis MN, Columbia MO, New York City NY and Iowa City IA. Semen samples were collected on site from 763 men (73% White, 15% Hispanic/Latino, 7% Black and 5% Asian or other ethnic group) using strict quality control and well‐defined protocols. Semen volume (by weight), sperm concentration (hemacytometer) and sperm motility were measured at each centre. Sperm morphology (both WHO, 1999 strict and WHO, 1987) was determined at a central laboratory. Mean abstinence was 3.2 days. Mean (median; 5th–95th percentile) values were: semen volume, 3.9 (3.7; 1.5–6.8) mL; sperm concentration, 60 (67; 12–192) × 106/mL; total sperm count 209 (240; 32–763) × 106; % motile, 51 (52; 28–67) %; and total motile sperm count, 104 (128; 14–395) × 106 respectively. Values for sperm morphology were 11 (10; 3–20) % and 57 (59; 38–72) % normal forms for WHO (1999) (strict) and WHO (1987) criteria respectively. Black men had significantly lower semen volume, sperm concentration and total motile sperm counts than White and Hispanic/Latino men. Semen parameters were marginally higher in men who achieved pregnancy more quickly but differences were small and not statistically significant. The SFF provides robust estimates of semen parameters in fertile men living in five different geographic locations in the US. Fertile men display wide variation in all of the semen parameters traditionally used to assess fertility potential.

Participant will appreciate the importance of food form on satiety response.

Opioids significantly alter functional responses of lymphocytes following activation. The opiate Morphine, alters the Th1 to Th2 response and modulates functional responses such as cytolytic activity and T-cell proliferation. Although there has been extensive research involving morphine's effects on lymphocytes, little is known about the effects morphine has on lymphocyte trafficking. The objective of the study was to use in vivo bioluminescent imaging to determine morphine's effect on the trafficking pattern of splenocytes systemically and into the CNS either in a naïve state or following a neuroinflammatory stimulus. A neuroinflammatory response was induced by intracerebrally administering a DNA IFN-γ DNA plasmid into morphine-dependent or placebo wildtype mice. Mice with or without a neurostimulus received adoptively transferred firefly luciferase transgenic splenocytes and imaged. Morphine dependence significantly altered the inherent ability of splenocytes to traffic into the spleen, and lead to non-directed chaotic trafficking throughout the animal, including into the CNS. The morphine-mediated effects on trafficking were blocked by the antagonist naltrexone. Morphine dependence intensified splenocyte infiltration into the CNS following neuroinflammation induced by IFN-γ gene transfer. The study precented determined that morphine severely altered the ability of non-activated splenocytes to home to the spleen, inducing extrasplenic trafficking thoughout the animal. In addition to altering the ability of naive splenocyte to traffic to the spleen, this study demonstrated that morphine profoundly exacerbated lymphocyte infiltration into the CNS following a neurostimulus.

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship of oxidative stress to fatigue in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of SLE by ACR criteria and healthy controls completed validated questionnaires to assess depression and fatigue. Fatigue was measured with the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and the Profile of Fatigue (Prof-F). Visual analogue scales (VAS) were also used to assess fatigue and pain. Depression was measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Plasma F-2-isoprostane was measured with gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy to assess oxidative stress. Evaluation included medical record review, physical exam and calculation of body mass index (BMI), disease activity (SLEDAI) and damage (SLICC) in the SLE patients. Results: Seventy-one SLE patients with low disease activity (mean SLEDAI = 1.62 standard error (SE) 0.37, range 0-8) were compared to 51 controls. Fatigue-limiting physical activity (defined as FSS >= 4) was present in 56% of patients and 12% of controls. F-2-isoprostane was higher in SLE patients with fatigue compared to not-fatigued SLE subjects (p = .0076) who were otherwise similar in ethnicity, disease activity and cardiovascular risk factors. Plasma F-2-isoprostane was strongly correlated with FSS and Profile of Somatic Fatigue (Prof-S) (p < .0001), VAS fatigue (p = .005), CES-D (p = .008) and with BMI (p = .0001.) In a multivariate model, F-2-isoprostane was a significant predictor of FSS after adjustment for age, BMI, pain and depression (p = .0002). Conclusion: Fatigue in SLE patients with low disease activity is associated with increased F-2-isoprostane. F-2-isoprostane could provide a useful biomarker to explore mitochondrial function and the regulation of oxidative pathways in patients with SLE in whom fatigue is a debilitating symptom. Lupus (2012) 21, 984-992.

Microglia, the macrophages of the central nervous system (CNS), are both the principle target cells for Mycobacterium infection in the CNS and serve a critical role in defense of the brain. If microglia's functions are altered due to immunosuppressive agents such as opiates, perturbation in defense of the brain may occur, including defense against CNS Tuberculosis. This study was designed to determine if Mycobacterium infected microglia activate γδT lymphocytes and if the opiate morphine alters the capability of microglia to activate γδT lymphocytes. γδT lymphocytes proliferated, produced IFN-γ, and demonstrated cytolytic response upon exposure to Mycobacterium bovis infected microglia. IFN-γ, and antigen specific cytotoxicity were both markedly impaired due to morphine treatment.

Caspases are a family of proteins important for the elimination of infected cells through the induction of apoptosis as well as the initiation of inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β and IL-18. Morphine exposure to animals and/or cells has been associated with the induction of apoptosis. The most common practices of apoptosis detection have involved removing tissues from animal or humans and the analysis of apoptosis on cells or tissues. These methods can potentially induce spontaneous apoptosis that is unrelated to the actual treatment. The objective of this study was to develop an in vivo detection method for assessing caspase activity induced both by morphine directly and by morphine combined with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)–immune activation. Mice were administered saline, morphine, LPS, or a combination of morphine and LPS. Prior to sacrifice, mice were injected with a poly-caspase-specific apoptosis detection probe to detect internal caspase activity in vivo. Results revealed that morphine alone did not directly induce caspase activity. However, morphine significantly enhanced the LPS-induced caspase activity in spleen, thymus, and bone marrow-derived immune cells. The use of a poly-caspase detection probe methodology to label caspase activity in vivo provides a powerful quantitative tool for the in vivo analysis of caspase activity.